By
Alex Smith |
Norwegian Aqua, the first ship in Norwegian Cruise Line’s expanded Prima Plus class, is scheduled to debut with a seven-day transatlantic voyage, departing from Southampton, UK, on 28 March 2025.
Guests will have six days at sea to explore the new Norwegian ship, which is 10 per cent larger than the previous Prima-class vessels. At 156,300gt and 1,056 feet long, Norwegian has taken advantage of the ship’s extra space to offer a range of new features, including the world’s first-ever hybrid rollercoaster and waterslide, the Aqua Slidercoaster. The ship will also have a new digital sports complex with an interactive LED floor named Glow Court, as well as the most expansive Ocean Boulevard outdoor promenade on a Norwegian ship.
Passengers onboard the inaugural voyage will also be the first to experience the largest premium The Haven complex on a Norwegian ship, which will have 123 suites. These include the first Three-Bedroom Duplex Haven Suites, which will feature separate living and dining areas, three bathrooms, a balcony and three bedrooms, with floor-to-ceiling windows offering ocean views from the master. Inside, ocean view and balcony category staterooms will also be available, while solo travellers will be able to choose from four separate categories.
Once Norwegian Aqua arrives in the USA, it will head south for two roundtrip voyages from Miami which will visit both the islands of Bimini and Great Stirrup Cay in The Bahamas. Great Stirrup Cay, Norwegian Cruise Line’s private island destination, is currently undergoing a $150 million expansion that will add a new pier capable of accommodating two of the cruise line’s newest and upcoming ship classes simultaneously.
From Miami, the ship will reposition to Florida’s Port Canaveral, its homeport for the rest of its maiden season. From April to August 2025, Norwegian Aqua will sail a seven-day itinerary around the Caribbean, making its first stop at Great Stirrup Cay. After a day at sea, the new ship will arrive in Saint Thomas in the US Virgin Islands, where guests can explore the town of Charlotte Amalie, before heading to Tortola in the British Virgin Islands, which offers white-sand beaches and hikes up the nearby Sage Mountain. Norwegian Aqua will then make a final stop at Puerto Plata in the Dominican Republic, where guests can visit a 16th-century fort, head to a museum showcasing valuable Dominican amber, and take in views of the city from atop Mount Isabel de Torres. After a final day at sea, the cruise ship will arrive back at Port Canaveral.
“Norwegian Aqua is a true testament of fusing together what represents the future of our brand as the first ship in the Prima Plus class, and our commitment to pushing the boundaries in guest-first experiences that will make new waves at sea,” says David J. Herrera, president of Norwegian Cruise Line. “Named for both the beautiful shades of blue from the ocean and our connection to the sea, Norwegian Aqua will feature new, elevated and exhilarating offerings that once again showcase Norwegian as the innovator in the industry and as a key contributor to a new era of cruising.”
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